Welcome to MYSTICS ARENA friends.
Sometimes we feel that the decisions in our life are taken by us but in reality some decisions are made by destiny and we are compelled to act on it. This is one of those decisions to go for short trip to Singapore in December 2023.
Hyderabad winter from December to February will always enchants me and I always prefer to stay in Hyderabad in those months. One day in early December 2023 I got a thought of visiting Singapore and asked my two school buddies if they are interested. Luckily they agreed for the trip and immediately we researched in the net how to get the visa and booked our tickets to Singapore and we got our visa through a travel agency in Chennai within a week.
On the night of 9th December 2023 we friends met in Chennai airport as our flight is at 2am on 10th December. We had dinner in Chennai airport lounge and boarded the flight and reached Singapore by 7am Singapore time. To my surprise I didn’t felt the country as a new place and become comfortable like home place immediately. But the view from the plane and the moderate weather during landing is scenic and I enjoyed it.
DAY 1
After landing we reached the airport terminal and completed the immigration which is totally automated with no waiting and queues. In the airport we purchased integrated transport ticket which costs around 48 Singapore dollars. With this ticket we can travel unlimited in any metro and bus transport in Singapore for 3 days. We came out of metro and reached our hotel Sofitel Singapore City Center. Our hotel is located exactly above the Tanjong Pagar metro station on the East West Line. we checked into our room which is on 17th floor. We had a very good view of the city from our room. We got refreshed and went to lunch in a nearby Indian restaurant and came back to our room and relaxed for a while.
Post lunch we relaxed in the hotel for a while and went for strolling the local locality which is very serene and with high rise buildings. After sometime we boarded a local bus and roamed in the city for 2 hours to accustom to the city atmosphere. Bus travel is very good as the buses are air conditioned and journey was smooth. By the evening we reached the hotel and again went to the Gardens By The Bay tourist spot. This is the last station in that route.
The Gardens by the Bay is a nature park spanning 105 hectares in the Central Region of Singapore, adjacent to the Marina Reservoir.Cloud Forest and Flower Dome are the 2 major attractions in this area. Due to time constraint we went to only Cloud Forest. It is an theme forest which is designed in view amazon cloud forest. It consists of 5 floors. It has an artificial water fall in the entrance. For fun this dome has various animal replicas like avatar creatures. Evening time is the best time to see this place as it is lit up with vibrant lighting and the mist effect places a vital role in enjoying this park. There are themes like lighting in the Avatar movie. Nice place to spend. It took average two hours to complete the cloud forest.
Adjacent to cloud forest is the Flower Dome which we didnt visit due to time constraint. From Gardens Of The Bay metro to Cloud Forest is a 1 km walk along the Marina Reservoir with the view of Marina Bay Sands Hotel. In the starting there are some food courts are available. After that you will walk by the Super Tree observatory. Overall Gardens BY The Bay is a must watch tourist spot in Singapore. Ticket cost to Cloud Forest and Flower Dome will be around 80SGD. From there we caught metro and came back to our hotel.
DAY 2
From thrilling rides to peaceful hilltops – Day 2 in Singapore was a blend of adventure, culture, and color.
2nd day morning we decided to visit Universal Studios in Sentosa Island. We changed 2 metro lines from our hotel and reached Harbour Front Station from where ropeway station to Sentosa Island is located. In VIVO City complex we took combo ticket which includes multiple cable car visits to Sentosa island and Mount Faber, Universal Studios, Under Sea Water Aquarium and Beaches in Sentosa Island. We boarded cable car and reached the Universal Studio station in Sentosa island. Beautiful views and sceneries from cable car are seen and needs to be experienced by everyone. Huge entrance to Universal Studio looks very grand. We entered the studio and had breakfast in Starbucks and went to visit the Under Sea Water Aquarium which is my dream from my childhood.
One of the most mesmerizing experiences was exploring the S.E.A. Aquarium on Sentosa Island. Though technically located adjacent to the theme park (within the Resorts World Sentosa complex), it’s an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring Universal Studios.
The moment I stepped inside, I was transported into an aquatic world filled with over 100,000 marine animals from across the globe. Giant glass panels allowed me to come face-to-face with majestic manta rays, sharks, jellyfish, sea horses, and schools of vibrant reef fish. One of the highlights was walking through the Open Ocean Habitat, where it felt like I was standing on the ocean floor surrounded by the graceful dance of sea creatures.
The calm blue ambiance, coupled with soothing music and dim lighting, made the entire experience feel surreal and meditative. For families, kids, or ocean lovers, this aquarium is a treasure trove of education and wonder.
If you’re visiting Universal Studios Singapore, don’t skip the S.E.A. Aquarium. It’s a perfect blend of adventure, beauty, and peace beneath the waves.
It took 3 hours for us to complete the SEA Aquarium visit. You can spend 5 hours easily in the aquqrium enjoying the variuos varieites of sea creatures with in variuos types of themes. After coming out from aquarium we started exploring the universal studios.
From the moment I stepped into the park, the energy and excitement were infectious, with themed streets, live entertainment, and the sound of roller coasters echoing through the air. The highlight of my day was definitely the Transformers Ride – an action-packed 3D thrill ride that made me feel like I was right in the middle of a battle between Autobots and Decepticons. The visuals, movement, and effects were so immersive, I didn’t want it to end!
Just as we were heading to the roller coaster ride, rain decided to crash our plans. The ride was temporarily closed due to the downpour, so we made our way to a nearby food court, where we grabbed a tasty lunch and waited for the rain to ease. As it slowed to a drizzle, we resumed our exploration.
Next up was the Ancient Egypt-themed zone, where we enjoyed the indoor ride packed with mystery, speed, and surprises. The detailing and atmosphere really made it feel like we were on an Indiana Jones-style adventure.
We then took a relaxed stroll through the beautifully themed streets of the park. From Hollywood to Sci-Fi City to Far Far Away, every corner was like stepping into a different movie world. Live street carnivals and character parades added even more charm and fun to the experience.
After a fun-filled day at Universal Studios, we ended our journey with a peaceful ride to Mount Faber – one of Singapore’s oldest and most scenic hilltop destinations. Reached via a cable car from Sentosa, the ascent itself was breathtaking, offering panoramic views of the city skyline, lush greenery, and the shimmering harbor below.
At the top, we were welcomed by a serene atmosphere, cool breeze, and charming walking trails. One of the most striking features was the series of bells hanging along the viewing deck, each symbolizing peace, love, and blessings. Visitors often ring them for good luck and leave behind love notes, making it a popular spot for couples.
Historically, Mount Faber dates back to the 19th century and was originally a signal station for ships arriving into Singapore’s port. Today, it stands as a peaceful lookout point that blends natural beauty with rich colonial history.
Whether you’re looking to relax, snap stunning photos, or just enjoy the quieter side of Singapore, Mount Faber is a perfect hilltop retreat.
After soaking in the views at Mount Faber, we descended via cable car and reached HarbourFront MRT station. From there, we headed straight to one of Singapore’s most vibrant and culturally rich areas — Little India.
Our main stop was the famous Mustafa Centre, a 24-hour shopping haven that feels like a treasure trove of everything under the sun. From electronics and perfumes to Indian snacks, jewellery, souvenirs, and clothes — it was a shopper’s paradise. We spent hours exploring its maze-like aisles, and honestly, it felt like being in a bustling old Indian city — busy, colorful, a little chaotic, and full of life.
The streets outside were just as lively, with music, flower garlands, street stalls, and the aroma of Indian spices filling the air. After all the shopping, we made our way to a nearby Indian restaurant for a comforting dinner — warm rotis, spicy curries, and the familiar flavors of home hit just right after a long day.
With shopping bags in hand and happy hearts, we finally returned to our hotel, Sofitel Singapore City Centre, ending our day on a perfect note.
DAY 3
A Spiritual Morning, Soulful Streets, and Shopping Sprees – Day 3 in Singapore
Our final day in Singapore began with a deeply spiritual experience that left a lasting impression on my heart and mind. We visited the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple in Chinatown, an exquisite three-story temple that radiates peace, devotion, and beauty at every corner.
As we entered the temple, we were welcomed by the glowing golden interiors and intricate carvings. On the ground floor, the main deity was Lord Avalokiteswara, surrounded by generations of Buddha statues along the walls, each radiating serenity. The atmosphere was filled with sacred chants, incense, and a deep sense of stillness.
The most sacred part of the temple is on the third floor, where the relic of Lord Buddha’s tooth is housed in a glass chamber, guarded by four majestic lion statues. There’s also a peaceful space for meditation and prayers. I felt an instant pull toward the space and sat down to meditate. That 30-minute meditation was one of the most ecstatic spiritual experiences I’ve ever had — filled with silence, bliss, and a sense of connection that words can hardly express.
As I stepped out of the temple, still enveloped in that spiritual energy, we walked into the adjacent Sago Street — historically known as the “Street of the Dead” due to the presence of death houses during earlier times. Learning about its past made me feel somber, but at the same time, I was filled with admiration for the hard work, discipline, and vision of Singaporeans who transformed such places into vibrant, thriving parts of the city. It was a humbling moment.
Retail Therapy at Its Best – Jurong East & Orchard Street
Next, we headed to the massive IMM Mall in Jurong East, one of Singapore’s largest outlet malls. With a wide range of both international and local brands, we dived into another round of shopping and grabbed a delicious lunch at the mall’s food court. After hours of exploring stores and filling our bags, we hailed a cab back to Sofitel Singapore City Centre.
Taxis in Singapore can be a bit expensive, but after walking and shopping all morning, the ride was absolutely worth it.
After a short break at the hotel, we couldn’t resist making one last shopping stop — Orchard Road, Singapore’s ultimate shopping paradise. The bustling street is lined with upscale malls, designer boutiques, and premium outlets. We spent a couple of hours strolling through the sparkling storefronts, soaking in the urban vibe and indulging in some final purchases before heading back to the hotel.
Wrapping Up a Wholesome Trip
We packed our bags, checked out, and headed to the airport with memories (and shopping bags) that would last a lifetime. It was a tight-scheduled 3-day trip — full of fun, adventure, reflection, and learning.
One of the biggest takeaways for me was the discipline, cleanliness, and grace with which Singapore functions. The country is a shining example of how vision and effort can transform even the smallest spaces into something extraordinary.
Thank you, Singapore — for your warmth, your wisdom, and your wonders.
Next time, I look forward to exploring the Singapore Zoo, Night Safari, Flower Dome, and maybe even a relaxing cruise around the bay.
